March 16, 2015

It becomes so easy in life to slip into a mind set of simply
completing activities. This is no different in activity in the church.
Going to meetings, serving others, reading scriptures, and praying
daily can become habits that we don't think twice about when we do
them. In order to grow from these things we must take an active role
in reflecting on them.

God gives us all things for our growth and benefit. However, it is our
choice whether we accept and act upon these things. In order for them
to truly change us we must have the right focus.

Are you focusing on completely theses activities or becoming more like
Christ and serving God's children continually? Consecration is when we
dedicate our thoughts, words, and deeds to the Lord.

We learn in Corinthians 3:16-17 that we are the temple of the Lord and
in D&C 109:12 that the temple is consecrated to the work of the Lord.
We should be striving every day to further God's work on the earth
like the temple. We should be in the world but remain unchanged by it.

I invite you to write down one thing that you will do differently this
week to become more consecrated to the Lord. I know that this will
bless you and you will see heaven's light more clearly on your life.

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March 11, 2015

The LORD always provides a way!

This past week was a week of miracles. We were able to see a lot of
progress in the people that we had been working with. Unfortunately
because some of our plans fell through we were not going to be able to
meet out goal for lessons with a member-present. We weren't extremely
upset about this but we kept working hard to get two more lessons in
hope that we could meet our goal.

On Sunday we had accepted that we would not make our goal and we were
a little disappointed. However, during Sunday school one of the women
from the ward asked if we could stop by that night to teach her two
young nieces that were not members of the church. We were very excited
and quickly agreed to stop by later that night to share a message with
them.

After church we went to the home of another member for dinner. We are
really spoiled here and we get fed by the ward nearly every night
during the week. We planned to talk to them about incorporating Preach
my Gospel into their family studies and to commit them to invite some
of their nonmember friends over for dinner the next time we come. We
had started eating when the daughter told us that she was expecting
some of her friends to come over to eat and hear a message! She had
invited them earlier that day. We quickly changed our lesson plan and
were able to teach another member-present lesson!

We had two member-present lessons handed to us today and we're able to
meet our goal! That just goes to show that when you work hard to
achieve a goal God will help you. I testify that He is mindful of us
and when we set goals He helps us achieve them. When we set goals
faithfully we invite divine assistance.

I invite you all to set a goal this week to become a little bit better
in some aspect of your life. It can be big or small. Then pray for
help and guidance that you will be able to achieve it. I know that our
Heavenly Father will help you because He loves you. He rejoices when
we set righteous goals that help us draw near to Him.

1 Nephi 3:7
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and
do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord
giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare
a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth
them.

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March 4, 2015

Preach my Gospel: a guide for YOU


My ward here in Kannapolis is starting a new program where they teach out of Preach my Gospel every first Sunday. For some people this may seem a little strange because PMG is widely recognized as a manual for missionaries. I agree that it is a guide for missionaries. However, this isn't a tool that is limited to the use of the full-time missionaries. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has and always will be a missionary church. 

As missionaries, we are counseled to study out of PMG every single day. It is a tool that is not for the conversion of investigators, but for the conversion of the missionary. It is a guide. It is a guide for us all to increase our commitment to our Savior, Jesus Christ. Isn't that something that we all desire? Don't we all want to be a little bit more like our perfect elder brother? I know that I do!

PMG has many different tools within it that will enrich your personal study of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I testify that it was written through revelation by modern prophets, seers, and revelators. I know that as we include this guide in our personal study we will become better disciples of Jesus Christ. I know this because I have experienced this change in myself. 

I invite you all to get a Preach my Gospel in your home if you don't already have one. Start out by reading the introduction. Learn how this guide is set up so that you can take full advantage of it. Once you have done this start using it! Use it every single day, even if you only read a paragraph. I also invite you to start and end your personal study with a pray. I know that when we invite the Spirit we enable ourselves to receive personal revelation and you will learn more than you would have otherwise. I also strongly suggest that you begin a study journal. When you use a study journal your study becomes much more meaningful. You show God that you value the things that He teaches you through the Spirit and He will pour even more knowledge upon your head. 

I promise as you use this guide you will improve the quality of your life. As you use it you will have an increased desire to become more like our Savior. You will want to serve others more and share this glad message of the restored gospel with others. That's what it's all about. Loving others enough to help them return to our Heavenly Father! I love you all and am excited for you to start using this fantastic tool that our Father in Heaven has given us!
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